'Back to the Future' Cast: Where Are They Now?

It's been 25 years since Marty McFly and Dr. Brown (we're not talkin' the cream soda here) first burnt rubber in the doc's souped-up DeLorean.

You know, when they went 'Back to the Future' in 1985, then they did it again ... and again. Which star has self-released experimental films, and which one had to pass on a role in the sequel to care for an ailing parent? We answer those and other burning 'BtF' questions.

'Back to the Future' I & II Cast: Where Are They Now?
It's been more than 20 years since Marty McFly and Dr. Brown (we're not talkin' the cream soda here) first burnt rubber in the doc's souped-up DeLorean, in 1985's 'Back to the Future.'

Chalk it all up as a gesture for love. They had to make the time travel trip to ensure that Marty's misfit parents met and married -- and that he'd be born! Two sequels later, the wacky, effects-laden franchise continues to delight. Who sez you can't go home again ... and again. -- By Tom Johnson

Then: Fox owned the 1980s when he morphed from self-confident, Republican yuppie Alex P. Keaton in TV's 'Family Ties' straight into bullied, less-than-supremely confident slacker Marty McFly. In the process, he christened a classic franchise full of slap-schtick physical comedy (always a Fox specialty) and gonzo special effects that delighted audiences not once, but thrice.

Now: After middling success in films like 'Bright Lights Big City' and 'Casualties of War', Fox again struck TV series gold as New York City Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty in 'Spin City.' But during the show's run, Fox's Parkinson's disease (diagnosed in 1991) worsened. In 2001, he semi-retired from acting and has since become a staunch advocate for a cure. He's done some acting along the way, including a guest arc on 'Boston Legal' and an upcoming stint on 'Rescue Me.'

Then: From a kick-ass freedom fighter battling the Russkies in 'Red Dawn' to (a year later) portraying Lorraine, horndog (future) mom of Marty McFly, Lea Thompson ran the acting gamut from A to at least B. Arguably, Thompson's best movie years were her early ones, culminating in a memorably comic performance as a lovelorn single in 'Casual Sex.'

Now: After a sabbatical to raise her two daughters with director hubby Howard Deutch, Thompson starred in the sitcom 'Caroline in the City' followed by a slew of mostly forgettable features. She has three films in the can awaiting release, including a starring turn opposite Jeremy London. Fun Fact: Thompson was engaged to Dennis Quaid for three years after meeting him on the set of her first flick, 'Jaws 3-D.'

Then: Lloyd's Looney toon persona was first seen in a small role in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but the actor gained TV immortality as the perpetually burnt Reverend Jim in 'Taxi.' It was during the show's phenomenally successful run that he was tapped to play Dr. Brown, cracked scientific genius and Marty's best bud and confidant.

Now: Averaging four or five movie and TV appearances a year, Lloyd's career has been on the same kind of hyper-drive as his prized DeLorean. He has eight projects in various states of completion, including a role in 'Jack in the Beanstalk' opposite Chevy Chase, and a guest spot on 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' this year. Fun Fact: Lloyd received his first screen smooch (after 15 years in the biz) in 'Back to the Future 3.'

Then: Proto-dweeb George McFly has nothing but his pocket protector for armor against the bullying Biff and his crew. Glover himself immerses entirely in memorable character roles with tweaked-out dorks like George a specialty. Case in point: his turns as Lane, the well-meaning stoner in 'River's Edge,' and as Andy Warhol in 'The Doors.'

Now: Glover hit a type-casting peak (of sorts) as rat-centric 'Willard' in the titular film. Up next, voice work in the straight-to-video 'Open Season 2' and a, um, part in a movie about the ill-fated cannibalistic Donner Party. Did you know that Crispin's dad Bruce was the homicidal Mr. Wint in the James Bond movie 'Diamonds Are Forever'? And that Crispin was the "voice" of the monstrous Grendel in the motion-capture 'Beowulf'? He's also made several self-released experimental films. 'Nuff said.

Then: Special effects "whiz-kid" Zemeckis seemed "joined at the hip" on many projects with producing partner Steven Spielberg. Zemeckis wrote and directed each film of the 'Future' trilogy and was nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for the first movie but would have to wait 10 years before picking up his Oscar -- for directing 'Forrest Gump.'